EL SEGUNDO, CA — The Los Angeles Kings have been hard at work over the past couple of days, preparing for the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the San Jose Sharks, starting tonight at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

But if the way the Kings ended the season is any indication, they have some issues to correct before the post-season party begins. Otherwise, they’ll likely be booted from the party very, very early.

LOS ANGELES — Alec Martinez scored a power play goal in the first period, Jeff Carter added another with time winding down in the third period, and Anze Kopitar finally recorded his first assist of the season, but it wasn’t enough, as the Los Angeles Kings dropped a 3-2 decision to the Columbus Blue Jackets at Staples Center on Thursday night.

EL SEGUNDO, CA — When you talk to hockey players, you often hear them mention the “little things” that are part of their games, and it becomes apparent very quickly that those little things add up to something pretty big for each player.

For Los Angeles Kings backup goaltender Jhonas Enroth, one of those little things has turned out to be a pretty big thing on its own merits, and it has contributed to his stellar play in the two games he’s started this season, the latest being a 3-0 shutout victory on November 3 at St. Louis.

In those two games, the 27-year-old native of Stockholm, Sweden has earned a 2-0 record, with an 0.50 goals-against average, a .984 save percentage, and as mentioned earlier, one shutout. In all, Enroth has faced 64 shots this season, allowing one goal.

LOS ANGELES — Marian Gaborik scored at 13:38 of the first period, and Tyler Toffoli scored a breakaway goal at 16:20 of the second period to help lead the Los Angeles Kings to a 2-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

EL SEGUNDO, CA — On Day 4 of the Los Angeles Kings’ 2015 Training Camp, things were a bit less hectic and more focused, with their first pre-season game of the 2015-16 season on tap for tonight in Bakersfield, California against the Arizona Coyotes.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, otherwise known as the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California, defenseman Jake Muzzin mused about last season and what’s ahead for him, and the team, this year.

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